Monday, April 14, 2014

Reflection for Monday, April 14, 2014

“God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it….” Isaiah 42:5

We often worry about the small things in life: Am I smart enough, pretty enough, busy enough, good enough? I have found it beneficial in my own experiences to zoom out of the situation in order to gain a new perspective on my worries. Lately, I have been literally looking up at the sky to remind myself how small my worries actually are... About 13.8 billion years ago, God created our expanding, intricate, and ever changing universe. God created billions of galaxies in this universe and in each galaxy, billions of solar systems. The most distant galaxies that God created are so far away that the light arriving from them on Earth today set out from the galaxies billions of years ago. In this vast universe lies planet Earth. This sphere that is full of humans of different races, beliefs, and stories. The planet that is consumed by love and happiness, but also hatred and sadness.

He created our detailed bodies that are currently working very hard as you read this. Your heart fuels itself, paces itself, and alters in response to life’s daily happenings ALL with no conscious effort. Cells are currently being formed and destroyed. Your kidneys are currently detoxifying blood. God was so detailed in the creation of humans that he made little proteins called laminins, which form the foundation for most cells and organs, to be shaped as a cross! Take a break and Google “Laminin.” It is amazing. God formed us with great detail and love so that we may know Him, love Him, and follow Him.

He says, “I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7

God created us with so much potential to be companions for those around us. Now, what do we do? How can WE know, love, and follow this incredible creator of ours? I believe that it begins with loving ourselves first. We can only truly be a light for others if we are a light for ourselves. Be kind and patient with yourself as you take on life’s joys and challenges.

“To open the eyes of the blind…”

This Lent, let us see past the haze of judgments that we place on people. Next time we see someone who might seem “different” than us, let’s break down that screen and remember that person was also made in God’s image. That person is meant to teach us something in that moment. When we stop being blind to the things around us, we can unite with others to continue helping each other see. Once we see that we are not all that different from another, peace and connection can begin.

“To bring out prisoners of confinement…”

This coming week, let us practice breaking out of the confinements we build around ourselves. If you get nervous in class, push yourself to speak; if you are scared to be yourself, practice doing something small each day that exemplifies you; if you have an addiction, take one step this week into a positive direction. When we know how hard it is to be a “prisoner” in our own jail, we can know how to help others break out of their jails. What walls do you need to bring down?

“And from the dungeons, those who live in darkness…”

God asks us to bring people out of darkness of the dungeons of our lives. Let us be vulnerable to the darkness. God made us to be together, to help one another, to love one another. Our friends that we vent to are God’s messengers. Let us be lights for one another. He created us in order to connect. To share in the sorrow. To break down our walls together. When we are brave enough to explore the darkness of our dungeons we will be able to find the infinite power of our light.

RISE and BE a light for the nations. Find the light that God planted within yourself and shine it for all to see. We have one week left before Easter. How can we be a light this week for ourselves and for others?